Professor Alfred Bandele Kasunmu (SAN), a pioneer legal scholar, former Attorney-General of Lagos State, and one of Nigeria’s most respected Senior Advocates, has passed away. He died peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, August 9, 2026, at the age of 92.
His death was confirmed in an official statement released by the Kasunmu family on Sunday. ”With gratitude to God for a life well spent, we announce the passing of our beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, Professor Alfred Bandele Kasunmu SAN, who departed peacefully in the early hours of Sunday, 9th August 2026,” the family stated. Professor Kasunmu was not only a cherished patriarch of our family but also a distinguished scholar, mentor, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria whose legacy of wisdom, integrity, and service will continue to inspire generations.”
Born on May 23, 1934, in Lagos to parents from Ilesa, Osun State, Kasunmu was educated at Elizabeth Fowler Memorial School, Reagan Memorial Baptist School, and Baptist Academy Lagos, graduating in 1953. He proceeded to University College London (UCL), where he obtained both his Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and Master of Laws (LLM) degrees. He was subsequently called to the Nigerian Bar in 1964.
Kasunmu built an illustrious career across academia, public service, and private practice. He began his teaching career in 1964 as a pioneer lecturer at the Faculty of Law, University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University). In 1971, he joined the University of Lagos as a senior lecturer, eventually attaining the rank of Professor of Law and serving as Dean of the Faculty of Law from 1973 to 1975.
His commitment to public service led to his appointment as Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice for Lagos State, a role he served from 1975 to 1978. On January 25, 1978, he was conferred with the rank of Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), becoming one of the earliest practitioners to attain the title.
Following his public service, Kasunmu founded the law firm Professor A.B. Kasunmu’s Chambers LP in Lagos in 1978. Over the decades, he authored and co-authored several legal texts and articles that remain foundational to Nigerian jurisprudence, while representing clients in major domestic and international litigation and arbitration.
The family indicated that funeral arrangements will be announced in due course. Condolence visits will be received at the family residence exclusively on weekends, starting Saturday, August 15, and Sunday, August 16, 2026, between 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM. The family noted that no visitors would be received on Sunday, August 9.
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